Report of subsidies to dead farmers debunked Sunday, April 3, 2011 The General Accountability Office, the auditing and investigative arm of the U.S. Congress, caused a stir in 2007 when it reported that as much as US$1.1 billion annually was being improperly paid to dead farmers. That's out of about $20 billion for crop subsidies, conservation practices and disasters. But, according to Associated Press, a subsequent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency says that just isn't so. Matching payments to social security death records revealed that 121,527 payments totalling $108 million in 2007 went to people who had died. The agency found that, in nearly every case, the dead farmers' estates and other entities were legally entitled to the money because the subsidies had been applied for before the death.A USDA study of subsidy payments in 2009 showed that just $1.22 million went out in error, out of $16.6 billion. The agency says it cut its error rate to 0.008 per cent from two per cent in one year. BF U.K. dairy farmers caught in a supermarket price war It pays to read the manual
Sunflower farming in Ontario Tuesday, August 19, 2025 While Manitoba dominates sunflower production in Canada—accounting for about 90 percent of the national output (https://oggardenonline.com/where-in-canada-are-sunflowers-grown.html)—Ontario is home to a growing number of sunflower farms. These farms are often smaller in scale and... Read this article online
2025 Livestock Tax Deferral Regions Announced Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has published the initial list of prescribed regions eligible for the 2025 Livestock Tax Deferral provision, a key support measure for Canadian livestock producers grappling with the impacts of extreme weather. “As we continue to see the very... Read this article online
Winter wheat in Ontario: A resilient crop for a sustainable future Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Winter wheat has long been a staple in Ontario’s agricultural landscape, offering both economic and environmental benefits to farmers across the province. Grown primarily in southwestern Ontario, this crop plays a vital role in crop rotation systems, soil health, and food... Read this article online
Better Soil Health Improves Rain Absorption Monday, August 18, 2025 The OMAFA Fieldcropnews.com team recently held demonstrations regarding how soil management can greatly affect the amount of rainfall absorbed into the soil for crop use. This is especially important for corn, soybean, and wheat growers facing dry spells or intense summer storms. In early... Read this article online
Farm ponds and the trouble with algae Monday, August 18, 2025 Farm ponds are more than just tranquil features on rural landscapes—they’re essential tools for water management, livestock care, irrigation, and biodiversity—especially in North America. They are also considered to be a key agricultural asset outside North America, especially in... Read this article online